Marist’s Fashion Program has been named one of Best Colleges That Are Shaping The Future Of Fashion by Forbes. The state-of-the-art Steel Plant building and 35th anniversary Silver Needle Runway are highlighted.

June 14, 2021—Marist’s Fashion Program, led by John Bartlett, Director of the Fashion Program, was recently named one of the Best Colleges That Are Shaping The Future Of Fashion by Forbes. Marist is one of only 10 colleges and universities recognized in the world.

“Marist offers one of the most unique opportunities for students to immerse themselves in all areas of fashion and I am honored that Forbes has acknowledged our outstanding program,” said Bartlett. “At Marist Fashion, the students experience one-on-one personal mentoring with the faculty and from the industry, and we believe the program is a leader in experiential courses like the Silver Needle Runway, Measure Magazine, Mporium at Marist and the Makers Space,” he continued.

The article notes Marist’s convenient, inspiring location, as we are just north of New York City, and describes the breathtaking views of the Hudson River as “a more serene setting to focus on your creative process.” Our newly renovated and expanded state-of-the-art Steel Plant building is also highlighted. The innovative Steel Plant building was designed with our students at top of mind and includes digital labs, fashion studios, a makerspace, fashion exhibition gallery, art gallery, Mporium at Marist retail laboratory, and Winter Garden. The new space and equipment extends the application of technology in curricula across all programs, including the development of specialty courses such as MicroManufacturing and Digital Patternmaking. Students have the opportunity for hands-on experience with a working makerspace designed to reflect those found in both the digital media and fashion industries.

Marist Fashion’s 35th anniversary Silver Needle Runway presentation took place on May 22, 2021, and was a tremendous success. The article encourages readers to watch the Silver Needle Runway presentation to “experience the Marist style for yourself.”

Marist offers majors in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising, with Fashion Design offered at their New York or Florence, Italy campus. Fashion Design students who study abroad at the branch campus in Florence will acquire all of the tools needed to guarantee educational standards that will produce the highest level of future fashion professionals. Marist students also have the unique experience of participating in The Venice Biennale, a six credit program in Art History and Studio Art. This program immerses students in the captivating culture of Venice, Italy, and provides the opportunity to explore the work of global contemporary artists featured at the Biennale sites and museums. Students have also had the incredible opportunity to work behind-the-scenes on the production of runway shows by designers including Francesca Liberatore, Betsey Johnson, Nanette Lepore, and Song Jung Wan through Marist’s unique partnership with New York Fashion Week.

“We are working to address the ever-changing demands of the industry and to prepare our students to be "industry ready." Our design and merchandising students enter the world with both a solid understanding and proficiency of the fashion marketplace as well as a well-rounded and imperative liberal arts education, which will serve them in all areas of their life post Marist," Bartlett said.